Major Risk Factors For Dementia

Type 2 Diabetes

Vascular dementia is caused by a stroke and type 2 diabetes has been known to be a significant risk factor for experiencing a stroke for quite some time. A Dutch study stated individuals with type 2 diabetes were at an increased risk for developing Alzheimer's disease as well as other forms of dementia. Risk factors were highest in those who were receiving insulin as part of their treatment. According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, individuals with elevated blood sugar levels who were not diabetic also had an increased risk of dementia.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, often referred to as hypertension, can be a significant factor in whether or not someone develops dementia or other forms of memory loss. Research shows long-term hypertension can impede blood flow and damage small arteries in the brain, which may result in brain tissues wasting away, and because of this, dementia or other forms of cognitive decline can occur. A long term study showed an individual's risk of developing dementia doubled if their blood pressure levels were higher than 140-160 mmHg in the long term. The study also indicated individuals who were fifty years old with high blood pressure had poor cognitive performance as compared to seventy-year-olds without high blood pressure.